Supershine SGS Smoky Specials
Our Dorridge Travel group had a special train from Rawalpindi to Kohat in early January 1988. Steam at Pindi appeared to be limited to SGS 0-6-0s, we had two specially shined ones for our special. There had been considerable numbers of this Standard Goods type in India and Pakistan, but by 1988, only Pakistan had working ones. The examples on our specials were all built by Vulcan Foundry between 1911 and 1921. As C J Gammell commented in his book 'Relics of the Raj' : The locomotives look like a Great Central (LNER class J11) 0-6-0.'
2465 on shed at Rawalpindi getting ready for the special, it was accompanied by 2467.
The two locos waiting departure at Rawalpindi station, while another SGS, 2411, the station pilot, hauls a rake of stock into the adjacent platform.
The special waiting for the road en route to Kohat.
A smoky runpast for the photographers.
Photo stops in rugged landscapes between Jand and Kohat. The bridge is over the River Indus while above the line runs through a pass near Seni Gambat.
The journey length was 177 kms, taking about seven hours including numerous photo stops. I had a footplate ride from Basal Junction to Jand Junction, very enjoyable.
A few days later, we had a special from Malakwal to Dandot, below, with another supershine SGS, 2470, featuring great scenery near Dandot.
